Prosecution seeks sanctions vs. VP Sara, spokesperson over alleged sub judice violations

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The House prosecution panel has asked the Senate impeachment court to sanction Vice President Sara Duterte and her spokesperson, Atty. Paolo Panelo, over statements that allegedly violated the sub judice rule, including remarks that supposedly questioned the integrity of the court.

Private prosecutor Benjamin Tolosa Jr. made the call on Tuesday after lead defense counsel Sheila Sison urged the court to take action over Tolosa’s statements, which she claimed delved into the merits of the impeachment case against the Vice President in violation of the sub judice rule.

Senate impeachment court Presiding Officer Francis Escudero said the court had been looking into statements made by both parties over the weekend that may have violated the sub judice rule.

“We've heard that from the Vice President time and again, as well as her spokesperson attacking their integrity, attacking their motives, saying the impeachment proceedings have been marred by bending the law, saying that senators are manipulating the proceedings, and that the budget is being used to control the senators. These [statements] touched not just the merits of the case but also attack the integrity of the court,” Tolosa said in a press conference.

“We've always been asking for a fair shake. One court, one rule—let's apply them evenly. I am quite sure no one from the prosecution said anything that could be remotely considered to have attacked the integrity of the court and not even one senator-judge,” he added.

Tolosa said the statements from the Vice President's camp were intended to condition the minds of her supporters into believing that the proceedings were not legitimate.

“That’s why we will be asking the court to take action not just on the statements of the Vice President but also on the statements given by her spokesperson that have repeatedly violated the sub judice rule as well and which are even contemptuous in nature,” he added.

Tolosa also said he was prepared to respond to Sison's allegations.

“We look forward to receiving this motion that they may be filing, and we will respond to it accordingly. We've always respected the sub judice rule and the court's authority and integrity, as well as the integrity of the proceedings,” Tolosa said. —VBL, GMA News